In 2011, a very unique term was coined to describe the Samsung Galaxy Note phone. Due to its extremely large proportions compared to its peers, the Note was dubbed a “phablet,” or a phone and tablet combination. Small enough to be used as a hand-held phone, but large enough to display games, web browsers, and documents in a much more tablet-like manner, these devices instantly became popular among many users. Fast forward to 2014 and the industry has rapidly expanded, with Apple even breaking into the market with the newly released iPhone 6 Plus. With the wide selection of these devices available, the question now is: tablet or phablet?

Tablets

The concept of a tablet computer or a much smaller and portable computer has been around for many years. This type of device became insanely popular in 2010 with the release of the Apple iPad. Consumers loved the portability of the device, while still being able to perform many of the functions of a laptop computer, such as playing games, writing documents, and surfing the web. The touch screen interface was also revolutionary and excited consumers beyond belief.

Pros

Smaller size compared to laptops means greater portability.

Tablets offer a portable option for gaming, creating/viewing documents, browsing the internet, and other computer-based activities.

Portable entertainment, such as watching movies and TV shows, becomes simple and beautiful.

The battery life on most tablets is phenomenal, easily beating laptops, and even most phones.

Cons

Many tablets can carry hefty price-tags, especially given their size.

Although they are more portable than laptops, they are still relatively large to carry.

Usually, no native calling features, and they are too unwieldy to hold to your ear anyway.

Phablets

In recent years, the growth of the phablet has exploded. The release of the new iPhone 6 Plus has made a huge impact on the smartphone and tablet market, and smartphones are continually trying to add inches to the screen size. Many people feel that phablets are more than capable of fully replacing tablets.

Pros

Phablets are slightly smaller than tablets but still offer the same features.

While both have merit, phablets are eating into the tablet sales significantly for a reason. They offer more functionality on a more manageable screen. Some may find them too small for multitasking, but they will satisfy the needs of most customers. You can easily cut costs by opting for just the slightly more expensive phablet, rather than purchasing both a smartphone and tablet. Therefore, people are starting to lean heavily towards the large smartphones being released in recent months.

With the introduction of the new category of devices, oddly name the Phablet, sales have been taken from the smartphone and tablet market to provide for this new breed of mobile technology, statistically speaking. Companies that are taking advantage of consumers wanting larger screens may be reducing their number of tablet sales, but the number of phablets sold has likely blown through the roof. Additionally, the larger high definition displays of the new smartphones, which are being placed in the phablet category, are only slightly smaller than the moderately sized tablets.

Statistically Speaking

The IDC, International Data Corporation, reported that the growth rate of tablets will likely drop into the single digits during the upcoming years, which is vastly different than the previous 50% growth. There are multiple reasons that can be contributing to this significant market shift. For one, people would rather save money by buying only one device. Considering smartphones reach upwards of seven inches and tablets start at just eight inches, many consumers find it illogical to purchase both pieces of technology based on that minimal difference. The large screen can run over $500, so it saves quite significant amounts of money to only buy one.

While the larger phones are eating into tablet sales, the companies that produce those devices are still getting paid. For example, the Apple iPad and iPad Mini are recognized as the best currently available, but they also just released the new iPhone 6. The iPhone 6 Plus is Apple’s largest phone, so this model is getting tons of attention and money. While the growth of iPad sales may be slowing, Apple has earned ten times more from the new, larger smartphone.

Identical Features

Examining the features of the common tablet, it is actually surprising they even exist in the current market. The only major difference between this device and the phablet is the dimensions. While people choose the larger device for comfortably browsing at home without carrying around a seven inch smartphone, it seems more functional to have the same capabilities outside of the house without spending double the money. Many people agree with this conclusion, which has led to the drastic reduction of tablet sales. However, sales of devices with more than 11 inch displays are looking up. Considering the four inch increase over even the largest phablet, the difference starts to become more significant.

Considering the growth of tablets will likely drop more than forty percentage points this year, analysts are pointing towards the newly released phablets for the reason. Logically, the theory is reasonable. People have decided to stop paying an extra thousand dollars on devices that offer very little more than their regular smartphones. Tech companies need to shift focus by building innovative designs that are both larger and more functional. An extra inch with slightly more memory is simply not enough to land the sale today, and companies are starting to realize and adapt to this clear fact.

With the rapidly changing technology of modern society, many people have questions about which tablet would be the most suitable for them. While that answer is highly dependent on personal circumstance, there are some clear characteristics that can help the buying decision, such as price, features, size, and more. The top five best tablets you can buy are discussed below in an effort to narrow down the wide selection available.

Top Five Tablets

5. LG G Pad 8.3

The large 8.3 inch screen is perfect for displaying high definition pictures, videos, running applications, and browsing the web. The G Pad runs on the Android operating system, so you can expect versatility, customizability, and reliability. Multitasking is an important feature of this device with the ability to run multiple apps simultaneously in the same window. It will run you three hundred dollars without a contract.

4. Sony Xperia Z2

While the cost is double that of the LG G Pad, there are many great features offered that are unparalleled by any other device. For example, the Xperia can last up to 30 minutes under water. The 10 inch high definition screen is dust and scratch resistant too. Businesses are targeted for this device by offering OfficeSuite Pro, advanced security, and premium privacy.

3. Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Samsung has transferred their successful Galaxy S smartphone series into tablet form. The device is priced at $600 with the 10.5” 288 PPI display and latest version of Android. There are tons of preloaded and downloadable apps to choose from for multitasking, recording, web searching, and more. The wide range of settings ensures the perfect fit for every user.

2. Apple iPad Air

The slightly higher price is well worth the expense for the fantastic features offered by this extremely thin tablet. Even with the display just under ten inches, the iPad Air only weighs one pound with one quarter inch thickness. Additionally, it comes packed with the benefits of the iOS, such as ease of use, and hundreds of thousands of reasonably priced apps available from the app store.

1. Apple iPad Mini with Retina Display

The $530 price tag is quite expensive, but the iPad Mini is certainly one of the best tablets available. Two inches are knocked off the dimensions, but certainly none of the features are left out. The 326 PPI display packs over 3 million pixels, which classifies the device as having Retina display according to Apple. Fast wireless, iSight, FaceTime, tons of apps, and long lasting battery are typical from this high tech company.

While there are many other options available, these top five tablets are the best available today. If you want complete customizability, the Xperia or G Pad with the Android operating system would be the perfect choice, but ease of use and premium hardware falls unto the Apple iPad. Any of the choices from this selection of top tablets will surely make any customer happy.

Business transactions today are often done on the spur of the moment, at lightning speed, from any location around the world. How can your business compete with the world? Get mobile and keep your business in high gear. When your customers want your service or product NOW, you must be able to deliver.

Five of the best apps for your business:

These five apps were chosen because they deliver the most positive solutions for busy business executives by increasing productivity and decreasing stress.

Office mobile from Microsoft lets you access your computer in your office. You can access, edit or even create new documents using your mobile device. This is a time saving step for sure, reducing the need to access your office computer because of a document you have left behind or suddenly discover you need to create a new report or sales document. You can even print a word document, an excel spread sheet or a power point presentation which will be there waiting for you when you get back to the office.

The Square is great for smaller businesses trying to compete with larger world wide corporations. Consumers will often make spur of the moment decisions for purchases and now you can be willing, and now ready, to accept their credit card payment where you stand. This is a fairly new app, started in 2010, but it has been well received and used. There is a small fee charged for every transaction made but you will find no hidden costs appearing on your monthly record.

WebEx Meetings by Cisco knows that office meetings rarely take place in stuffy board rooms these days. Whether you work from home or in your car this app makes face to face meetings doable, even at 30,000 feet. Need to attach files or documents? No problem. WebEx is the app for that. The high definition video imaging makes it feel real and personal. The company also offers a help line and support center should you run into any difficulties along the way.

HP Mobile Printer allows you to print documents from either your home or office. Sometimes that hard copy is still needed. HP mobile printers will work with an android device, an Apple device or a BlackBerry. Even if you are on the road and can’t get back to the office, or home, this ePrint app lets you communicate with any location that uses an HP printer like your hotel, FedEx stores, even the airport lounge.

Open Table is an app that allows you to book a reservation for lunch or dinner you’re your mobile device without changing your stride. Ask any businessperson and they will tell you that being able to access a fine meal without having to wait in line is a great way to refuel at the end of a busy day. This app is compatible with a wide variety of mobile devices.

In 2010, Apple introduced the iPad and the tablet revolution was born. But tablets have come a long way since then, and while the iPad is still popular there are many other options from which to choose. In fact, there are so many tablets on the market it might want you to go back to the original tablet – the spiral notebook. But never fear. If you’re shopping around and wondering how to choose the right tablet for you, this brief guide should help you narrow down the options and find the device that will best suit your needs.

Who Will Use It?

Are you a teacher shopping for educational tools for your students? Are you a business professional who will mainly be using the tablet for data transmission? Will your customers be using it to pay? Do you just want it to play games on? It’s important to think about all of these things when you go to select your tablet.

How Will it Be Used?

Using a tablet for playing games is a far cry from conducting important business transactions, like file sharing, or processing payments. If you want to play games, the iPad is a great solution. It’s the original tablet, and the App Store has perhaps the widest range of gaming available for tablets. Jim Hardy, the tech analyst for MezzoLogic, an SEO company in Los Angeles, explains “Business-oriented individuals might be more inclined to pick an Android based system, or even the higher grade Windows tablets, as they have more utilitarian add-on hardware options.”

Consider the Operating System

The operating system is one of the most overlooked components to choosing a tablet, but it’s likely the most important. The operating system of your tablet dictates how it runs, what it can do, how fast it can do it, and where you can take it. For instance, business-minded individuals who want to use their tablets like a computer and are accustomed to PCs, the higher end Windows 8 tablets are likely the best option. If you’re used to using Macs, you might profit from an iPad, even if the hardware add-ons are a bit clumsier. If you want to synch with Google Docs and your Android phone, you’ll likely want to choose a tablet with an Android-based operating system.

Screen Size

How big of a screen do you need? Let’s say you are doing business and you need a customer or business associate to read a document and click “accept”. Is the screen big enough for them to read it comfortably? Will you have to zoom in to a point where they will have to keep scrolling back and forth across the page to read it? Is the button going to appear big enough to click? It’s very important to consider screen size when picking out your tablet. Personal use tablets can stand to be smaller, but business tablets – particularly those that will be involved in collaborative efforts – should usually be a bit larger.

Storage and Wi-Fi

Finally, you’ll want to consider how you plan to store your device. If you have to carry it in your purse or handbag, you might want a smaller version. If you have the ability to carry around a mobile PC type of tablet, then a Windows 8 version might be good for you. Also, you’ll want to consider whether you want to be able to connect via a cellular connection, such as tablets that are attached as a line on a wireless plan, or Wi-Fi only tablets. Consider that Wi-Fi only tablets are usually less reliable unless you carry an air card or some kind of mobile connection with you.